coffee ring

American  

noun

1. a coffeecake shaped like a ring, plain or fruited, often with a topping of raisins, ground nuts, and icing.

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Etymology

Origin of coffee ring

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

In the coffee ring effect, water drying at the edges is replenished from the center of the droplet, and that fluid flow carries particles to the edge, forming the dark ring.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2014

And over there – my mind has a coffee ring stain and a leather bookmark with tattered fringes peeking out the top.

From Scientific American • Mar. 12, 2014

This is known as the "coffee ring effect," and recently, researchers have determined that the shape of the particles in the liquid is an important factor in creating this pattern.

From US News • Aug. 18, 2011

By the time all of the liquid in the droplet evaporates, most of the particles will be at the edge, producing the coffee ring effect.

From US News • Aug. 18, 2011

“You can always sell them something else. Some dinner rolls, a coffee ring for tomorrow’s breakfast.”

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García